Apple really has ditched their PROs
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:16 pm
I have felt for a long time that Apple has decided to ditch their professional
users. First with the discontinuation of the popular XServer and XRAID
products. The dumbing down of OS X Server with the release of OS X Server
LION. Snow Leopard OS X Server 10.6 was probably the most polished version of
OS X server released, though I never could get the Wiki server to run
correctly.
On the software side, they butchered Final Cut Pro, which alienated them from
the video professionals. Next came the decission to discontinue their
professional photo workflow application Aperture, and forced photographers
into the hands of Adobe.
Then came the decision of making their products completely upgradeable by
epoxying in the battery, and soldering the RAM on the motherboard. The
battery placing about a 5 year life span on their products, and the RAM making
it so you have to anticipate your needs down the road or put all your money up
front. Apple is not the only company to ever do this. Commodore removed the
RAM sockets from the unused RAM space on the motherboard of the lower end
models because people were ordering the lower end models and buying cheaper
third party RAM.
Next came the replacement of the powerfull cheesegrater Mac Pro desktops with
the unexpandable Trashcan (Or ashtray) Mac Pros. That while beefy back in
2013 have not seen an update. Coupled with the fact it contains no PCIx
ports, or drive bays completely removes any appeal of having a desktop Mac.
IE with my desktop I was able to have 4 internal hard drives without having
seperate enclosures, cables, and powercords running willy nilly across my
desk. Not to mention I upgraded by video card twice, and performed 2 RAM
upgrades over the desktops 5 year life. I feel the new Mac Pro is more like a
Mac Mini Plus then something for the a true professional.
Now let's take a look at their latest baby, the Macbook Pro with Touch Strip.
They have chosen to remove the SD CARD slot, which will now force
photographers that used their notebooks for on the road photo editing
workstations; to either cary the extra hardware to read the SD CARDS, or
import from the camera adding an extra step to their workflow. With only 3
USB-C type connectors, you will now have to carry adaptors for any legacy USB
hardware. I think the strangest decision being not including the MAG SAFE
power connector. Owning a 2010 Mac Book Pro, I can personally attest to the
MAG Safe connector saving my notebook many times!
The last paragraph really saddens me, though I decided to switch to a PC for
my desktop needs, I feel that Apple provides the best form factor in the
notebook arena, and I was contemplating buying a new Macbook, however I can
not justify the cost when Apple's new philosphy seems to be "It Just Works. If
you Remembered Your Adaptor."
users. First with the discontinuation of the popular XServer and XRAID
products. The dumbing down of OS X Server with the release of OS X Server
LION. Snow Leopard OS X Server 10.6 was probably the most polished version of
OS X server released, though I never could get the Wiki server to run
correctly.
On the software side, they butchered Final Cut Pro, which alienated them from
the video professionals. Next came the decission to discontinue their
professional photo workflow application Aperture, and forced photographers
into the hands of Adobe.
Then came the decision of making their products completely upgradeable by
epoxying in the battery, and soldering the RAM on the motherboard. The
battery placing about a 5 year life span on their products, and the RAM making
it so you have to anticipate your needs down the road or put all your money up
front. Apple is not the only company to ever do this. Commodore removed the
RAM sockets from the unused RAM space on the motherboard of the lower end
models because people were ordering the lower end models and buying cheaper
third party RAM.
Next came the replacement of the powerfull cheesegrater Mac Pro desktops with
the unexpandable Trashcan (Or ashtray) Mac Pros. That while beefy back in
2013 have not seen an update. Coupled with the fact it contains no PCIx
ports, or drive bays completely removes any appeal of having a desktop Mac.
IE with my desktop I was able to have 4 internal hard drives without having
seperate enclosures, cables, and powercords running willy nilly across my
desk. Not to mention I upgraded by video card twice, and performed 2 RAM
upgrades over the desktops 5 year life. I feel the new Mac Pro is more like a
Mac Mini Plus then something for the a true professional.
Now let's take a look at their latest baby, the Macbook Pro with Touch Strip.
They have chosen to remove the SD CARD slot, which will now force
photographers that used their notebooks for on the road photo editing
workstations; to either cary the extra hardware to read the SD CARDS, or
import from the camera adding an extra step to their workflow. With only 3
USB-C type connectors, you will now have to carry adaptors for any legacy USB
hardware. I think the strangest decision being not including the MAG SAFE
power connector. Owning a 2010 Mac Book Pro, I can personally attest to the
MAG Safe connector saving my notebook many times!
The last paragraph really saddens me, though I decided to switch to a PC for
my desktop needs, I feel that Apple provides the best form factor in the
notebook arena, and I was contemplating buying a new Macbook, however I can
not justify the cost when Apple's new philosphy seems to be "It Just Works. If
you Remembered Your Adaptor."